Newcastle United were looking to offload Kevin Mbabu on an emergency loan just days before the Swiss defender starred at left-back during his Premier League debut against Chelsea, admits Steve McClaren.

The Magpies had been in discussions with several clubs in the lower reaches of the Football League and in the National League – including neighbours Gateshead – about a move before the 20-year-old was thrust into the United team, first off the bench against Sheffield Wednesday and then from the start against the Blues.

And McClaren hopes Kevin Mbabu’s rapid rise from Under-21 obscurity to star performer against Premier League champions Chelsea can help inspire everyone associated with the club – including the fans and other Newcastle youngsters.

He said of Mbabu’s debut: “I hope it does (inspire others).

“Not just the first team and crowd, but also the Academy and Under-21s.

“He was nowhere near (the first team), and we were looking to loan him, and now he’s playing in the first team against Chelsea.”

Daryl Janmaat was forced off through illness at half-time of the Capital One Cup Third Round exit to Wednesday last month, allowing Mbabu to make his first-team debut off the bench at his favoured position of right-back.

Mbabu failed to play a single game while on loan at Scottish Championship side Rangers earlier this year due to a lack of fitness, yet injuries to both Massadio Haidara and Paul Dummett saw the former Swiss Under-19 international asked to deputise in an unfamiliar position at left-back from the start against Chelsea.

He will almost certainly continue at Manchester City in the same role.

When asked if Mbabu was one of the players who Newcastle were looking to send out on loan before injuries hit the squad, McClaren responded: “Yes, absolutely.

“Quite often, you’ve got to make that decision (to throw someone in) because it’s the only decision you can make.

“It was helped against Sheffield Wednesday because Janmaat went off and he was the only defender on the bench.

“He could play right-back, so I threw him on.

“I think he did well enough in that game, and showed his mentality, for me to put him at left-back.”